News

Oregon City Mill Site Has Potential Buyer

A California developer has expressed interest in the former Blue Heron mill site in Oregon City. April Baer reports the site’s bankruptcy trustee will file preliminary papers Wednesday for a possible sale.

Willamette Falls from the site of the former Blue Heron Paper Mill.

Lucila Cejas Epple/OPB

The site overlooks Willamette Falls. Once it was a traditional native fishing hub. It also marked the end of the Oregon Trail.

Since the mill closed, the site has posed challenges because of its geography and environmental contamination.

Peter McKittrick is a trustee handling the property in bankruptcy court. He says Eclipse Development Group, based in Irvine California, has agreed to a deal paving the way for a mixed-use development on the site.

“The sale is still subject to bankruptcy court approval as well as their continued due diligence - additional testing they want to do. it’s not a done deal, but there is a signed purchase and sale agreement.”

The price of the land is not disclosed.

Eclipse President Doug Gray says the company is still forming its plans for the site, and intends to pay homage to the history of the place.

Oregon City and the regional government, Metro want to ensure public access to the Falls.